Shaw in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Armed Resistance

“Lift Every Voice”

óGeorgia Ave./Pleasant Plains Heritage Trail ó

By Richard E. Miller, November 27, 2011

1. Armed Resistance Marker

Inscription. Shortly before midnight on July 22, 1919, James Scott, a black army veteran, boarded a streetcar at the corner and nearly lost his life.

A few days before, a white mob, including many veterans of World War I, had terrorized Southwest DC, randomly attacking black people in retaliation for an alleged assault on a white woman. Spurred by rumors and newspaper headlines, attackers targeted other Black neighborhoods. But Scott didn't know this. Boarding the streetcar here, he was stunned to hear white passengers yell, “Lynch him!” As he attempted to flee, the conductor shot at him three times.

That summer race relations were tense nationwide, with rioting in many cities. In Washington black men who had fought bravely overseas came home to a city more segregated than the one they had left. President Woodrow Wilsonís administration had established separate facilities for black federal employees. Unemployment was high. African Americans who had been respected as soldiers came home determined to fight U.S. racism. Most whites were determined to keep them “in their place.”

As mobs raged, some 2,000 black Washingtonians rallied here to defend their neighborhood. Veteran sharpshooters manned the Howard Theatreís roof, and others patrolled Seventh Street. Clergymen called on President Wilson

By Richard E. Miller, November 27, 2011

2. Armed Resistance Marker - Photo on Reverse

The separate Welcome Home Parade for African American soldiers who served their nation in segregated units during World War I, Pennsylvania Archive, February 1919. National Archives and Records Administration

to protect the community. By the time U.S. troops quelled the violence, seven people were dead and hundreds were injured But African Americans took pride in the successful defense of their neighborhoods.

Among those decrying the violence was William A. Taylor, founding pastor of the Florida Avenue Baptist Church, which you just passed, at 633 Florida Avenue. The original 1913 church building was replaced in 1964.

[Photo captions:]

For the duration of the disturbances, the Washington Post ran inflammatory headlines including this one from July 22, 1919. The Washington Post

This map, published in the old Washington Times in 1919, shows areas of the city hit by “rioting” on July 21. “Zone 1” was the around where this sign is today. Washingtoniana Division, DC Public Library

After the disturbances ended, copies of this handbill appeared throughout DCís black neighborhoods. Newberry Library

Rev. William A. Taylor, center, and family at his 2119 13th St. home, 1938. At upper left is grandson Billy Taylor, later an influential jazz musician and educator. Collection of Rudy Taylor

The Florida Avenue Baptist Church, right, celebrated its mortgage burning in 1944. Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Location. 38° 54.965′ N, 77° 1.301′ W. Marker is in Shaw, District of Columbia, in Washington. Marker is on Florida Avenue, NW east of Georgia Avenue, NW. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20001, United States of America.

Fighting Spreads to Many Sections After Troops Form a Cordon Around Center of City

Martial Law Virtually in Force Downtown From White House to Mall and Capitol, Thence to H, K, and L Streets Northwest. One Policeman Wounded—Negoes Fired on Whites From Speeding Autos.

Where Serious Rioting Took Place Last Night

† † † †Second and G streets northwest, where Detective Sergeant Harry Wilson was shot to death by negress as he forced his way into house.
† † † †Fouth and N Streets northwest, where Randall Neale, engro, (sic) was killed.
† † † †Seventh and G streets northwest, George Dent, negro, was shot and probably fatally wounded after he had shot and seriously wounded two white men.

For the duration of the disturbances, the Washington Post ran inflammatory headlines including this one from July 22, 1919.

Close-up of image on marker

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

6. Map Showing the Zones Where Last Night's Rioting Occurred.

This map, published in the old Washington Times, in 1919, shows areas of the city hit by “rioting” on July 21. “Zone 1” was the around where this sign is today.

Close-up of map on marker

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

7. Be Ye Also Readyfor We Know Not When TheyWill Return

Lest We Forget!

† †††Lest we forget the Democracy for which our men fought and died; lest we forget to strike out enemies the death blow when the lives of our mothers, fathers, wives, sweethearts, sisters and brothers are sought by the white intruder; lest we forget the vile, insidious propaganda directed against us in this the Nation's Capital by infamous Pseudo-Americans and the press; lest we forget vows and oaths made an taken to right our wrongs without fear and without compromise after the war; we do solemnly declare to lash ourselves to our gallant tars, and expire together in one common cause, fighting for a save and decent place to live in.
† †††Mothers and fathers, we are ready to protect you at any cost.

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

8. Rev. William A. Taylor & Family

Rev. William A. Taylor, center, and family at his 2119 13th St. home, 1938. At upper left is grandson Billy Taylor, later an influential jazz musician and educator.

Close-up of photo on marker

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

9. Mortgage Burning

The Florida Avenue Baptist Church celebrated its mortgage burning in 1944.

Close-up of photo on marker

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

10. Florida Avenue Baptist Church

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

11. Cornerstone

Florida AvenueBaptist Church

Organized
July 21,1912 A.D.
Rebuilt 1962 - 64 A. D.
Dedicated
To the Glory of God, TheMemory of the Foundersand their Successors

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

12. You Are Here

Close-up of map on marker

By Allen C. Browne, June 21, 2015

13. 7th Street and Florida Avenue

Georgia Avenue becomes 7th street south of Florida Avenue. Here 7th Street is also named “Chuck Brown Way” for the Godfather of Go-Go.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2017. This page originally submitted on January 17, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 652 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 17, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on August 29, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.